My Chemical-Free House

A Guide to Creating a Healthy Home

healthy cleaning products

Non-Toxic Degreasers for All Surfaces (The 3 Best Options)

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These three heavy-duty cleaners will cover all household needs for safer degreasers. They are all biodegradable, non-hazardous, and non-toxic.

Ranked by the strength of the cleaners, and their ability to act as a degreaser ECOS PRO is the mildest, AFM Superclean is in the middle, and Crystal is the toughest (truly industrial) degreaser and cleaner on the list.

Super clean and Crystal are fragrance-free and ECOS comes in unscented or with natural fragrance.

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Non-Toxic Deck Cleaners (For Every Deck Type)

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This is a comprehensive list of healthier alternatives to bleach and toxic deck cleaning formulas that still work to get your deck clean even if it’s covered in mold, stains, and debris.

I cover deck and outdoor furniture cleaners that are safe for you, your kids, your pets, and your plants.

Some are simple DIY natural recipes and others are ready to use soaps that are eco-friendly (and biodegradable).

I list which options are appropriate for wood decks, painted decks, composite decks, and vinyl decks.

The same solutions that work on decks also work on fences, siding, and outdoor furniture.

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Air Fresheners for the Chemically Sensitive

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1. Simmering Recipes for the Home

A bottle of vanilla extract

I tried various natural DIY air fresheners including the popular Pinterest post on simmering vanilla, rosemary, and lemon.

This method was so-so at producing a noticeable aroma (if you grate the lemon rind before adding it you will get more lemon scent out).

I also tried simmering black tea with spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg), which worked, but it was mild.

Mild can be good for the chemically sensitive!

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Non-Toxic Alternatives to Aerosol Air Freshener

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First, we need to know what you want your air freshener product to do – give a fragranced smell to the air or to furniture, break down a malodor, freshen up a piece of furniture, clothing, or gym bag, or cover up an odor in the air.

The below options are natural and non-toxic ways to accomplish one or more of these goals.

These are natural alternatives to air fresheners like Febreeze and Lysol Spray.

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Dilution Table for Hydrogen Peroxide

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How to Dilute 35%, 34% or 29%, 12%, 10%, and 6% Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Down to 3%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2% and 0.1%

This method is not precise especially at higher concentrations of HP because we are using the 1 part HP as 1 part water. It still is accurate enough for cleaning purposes.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

a pair of latex gloves, safety goggles, ear plugs, and a respirator

Personal Safety Equipment Should be Used!

Goggles, gloves, and protective clothing. (Source & Source).

Dilution Table

Dilute 35% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 1 part water (math is 35/2) = 17.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 2 parts water is 35/3 = 11.7% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 3 parts water is 35/4 = 8.75% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 4 parts water is 35/5 = 7% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 5 parts water is 35/6 = 5.83% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 6 parts water is 35/7 = 5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 7 parts water is 35/8 = 4.4% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 8 parts water is 35/9 – 3.9% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 9 parts water is 35/10 = 3.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 10 parts water is 35/11 = 3.18% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 13 parts water is 35/14 = 2.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 34 parts water is 35/35 = 1% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 35% H2O2 to 69 parts water is 35/70 = 0.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

Another way to make 1 gallon of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 1 and a quarter cup of 35% HP with 14 and three quarter cups of water.

Dilution Table

Dilute 34% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 34% H2O2 to 4 parts water = 6.8% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 34% H2O2 to 4.5 parts water = 6% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 34% H2O2 to 8 parts water = 3.7% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 34% H2O2 to 9 parts water = 3.4 % Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 34% H2O2 to 10 parts water = 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Make 1 gallon of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix just a touch under 1.5 cups 34% HP with 14.5 cups of water.

Dilution Table

Dilute 29% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 29% H2O2 to 1 part water = 14.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 29% H2O2 to 2 parts water = 9.6% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 29% H2O2 to 3 parts water = 7.25% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 29% H2O2 to 4 parts water = 5.8% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 29% H2O2 to 8 parts water = 3.2% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 29% H2O2 to 9 parts water = 2.9% Hydrogen Peroxide

How to Make a Gallon of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 1 cup, 9 tablespoons, and 2 teaspoons of 29% HP with 14 cups, 6 tablespoons, and 1 teaspoon of water.

Dilution Table

Dilute 27% Hydrogen Peroxide Down

1 part 27% H2O2 to 1.5 parts water = 10.8% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 27% H2O2 to 8 parts water = 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Dilution Table

Dilute 12% Hydrogen Peroxide Down

1 part 12% H2O2 to 1 part water (12/2) = 6% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 12% H2O2 to 3 part water (12/4) = 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 12% H2O2 to 11 part water (12/12) = 1% Hydrogen Peroxide

Make 1 gallon of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 4 cups of 12% HP with 12 cups of water.

Dilution Table

Dilute 10% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 10% H2O2 to 0.5 parts water (10/1.5) = 6.6% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 10% H2O2 to 2 part water (10/3) = 3.3% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 10% H2O2 to 2.5 parts water (10/3.5) = 2.85% Hydrogen Peroxide

How to make a gallon of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 4.5 cups of 10% Hydrogen Peroxide with just under 11.5 cups of water.

Dilution Table

Dilute 6% Hydrogen Peroxcide

1 part 6% H2O2 to 1 part water (6/2) = 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 6% H2O2 to 2 parts water (6/3) = 2% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 6% H2O2 to 3 parts water (6/4) = 1.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 6% H2O2 to 4 parts water (6/5) = 1.2% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 6% H2O2 to 5 parts water (6/6) = 1% Hydrogen Peroxide

Dilution Table

Dilute 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (10 Volume)

1 part 3% H2O2 to 1 part water (3/2) – 1.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 3% H2O2 to 2 parts water (3/3) = 1% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 3% H2O2 to 5 parts water (3/6) = 0.5% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 3% H2O2 to 14 parts water (3/15) = 0.2% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 3% H2O2 to 29 parts water (3/30) = 0.1% Hydrogen Peroxide

1 part 3% H2O2 to 69 parts water (3/70) = 0.04% Hydrogen Peroxide

Non-Toxic Disinfectant for Viruses

In order to kill viruses, the CDC recommends three different options. The least toxic and safest one for most people is hydrogen peroxide at at least 0.5%, left on the surface for one minute. Alcohol is also safe for many people to use. Source

Where to Buy Hydrogen Peroxide During the Pandemic

You can find higher concentrations at hydroponic stores and sometimes at gardening stores and hardware stores.

You may be able to find hydrogen peroxide at 12% on Amazon. If they are not sold out the next place I would look is online hydroponic stores.

You can also find some concentrations at beauty supply stores (usually 12%).